The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944)

As the Japanese sweep through the East Indies during World War II, Dr. Wassell is determined to escape from Java with some crewmen of the cruiser Marblehead. Based on a true story of how Dr... See full summary »

Director:

Cecil B. DeMille

Writers:

Alan Le May (screenplay), Charles Bennett (screenplay),

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Laraine Day, Signe Hasso

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gary Cooper	...	Dr. Corydon M. Wassell
Laraine Day	...	Madeleine
Signe Hasso	...	Bettina
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Benjamin 'Hoppy' Hopkins
Carol Thurston	...	Tremartini (Three Martini)
Carl Esmond	...	Lt. Dirk Van Daal
Paul Kelly	...	Murdock
Elliott Reid	...	William 'Andy' Anderson
Stanley Ridges	...	Cmdr. William B. 'Bill' Goggins
Renny McEvoy	...	Johnny Leeweather
Oliver Thorndike	...	Alabam
Philip Ahn	...	Ping
Barbara Britton	...	Ruth

Storyline

As the Japanese sweep through the East Indies during World War II, Dr. Wassell is determined to escape from Java with some crewmen of the cruiser Marblehead. Based on a true story of how Dr. Wassell saved a dozen or so wounded sailors who were left behind when able bodied men were evacuated to Australia.

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Plot Keywords:

escape | australia | jungle | hero | arkansas | 

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Taglines:

Drama of Loyalty and Love! The Story the Whole World Has Heard About!

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Genres:

Drama | Action | Adventure | Romance | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dr. Wassells Flucht aus Java

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,720,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mentioned in the fictional novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (Truman Capote). Holly Golightly has been set up for a screen test for one of the nurses in the film; instead of take the test, Golightly goes away to New York.

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Quotes

Dutch Army Captain: Unless the Japanese can be stopped, it will be impossible for any of your 42 wounded sailors to escape.
Dr. Corydon M. Wassell: Good gravy.

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Connections

Featured in Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic (2004)

User Reviews

Hoppy Survived

This is an entertaining movie if somewhat dated ,still worth an occassional veiwing. Gary Cooper carries the film with a great performance showing him for the star he was. The cast is packed with good character actors and actresses,and is filmed in colour,based on a true story that De Mille heard on the radio as told by FDR. The story of how the doctor rescues some badly injured sailors in the Phillipines is told in a flagwaving way,with humor and tragedy side by side. One reveiwer asks about Hoppy a badly wounded soldier who is left stranded on the wrong side of a demolished bridge,the film shows the Japanese closing in on him and a nurse then they disapear. In C.B,deMILLES BIOGRAPHY he reveals that Hoppy did survive and at the end of the credits he told the film audience this fact.